The Christian & Salvation (Water Baptism)

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The Christian & Salvation (Water Baptism)

What Are You Waiting For?

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

he Word of God is clear and precise concerning baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38).

“They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 8:16).

“They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5)

“For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17, NKJV).

The content for this lesson is provided by Pastor Raymond Woodward; a tremendous friend and Bible teacher.

Water baptism is an outward physical act. Our obedience to the God’s command accomplishes an inner spiritual work.

That is why in the Bible there is no such thing as a Christian who hasn’t been baptized! All believers in the Book of Acts were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some people ask, “Do I have to be baptized?” A good answer is, “Praise the Lord, you get to be baptized!”

Look at this list of some of the issues that are dealt with when an individual is baptized in Jesus’ name!

My sins are washed away or remitted, accomplishing God’s full work of forgiveness.

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

My sense of right and wrong is washed and cleansed, so I can be free from my past way of thinking.

“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).

My body is buried in a “grave of water,” portraying the death of my old life.

“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12).

I am born again “of the water,” depicting the birth of my new life.

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

I am brought into God’s covenant of New Testament salvation, portraying the “cutting off” of my fleshly desires.

“In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism …” (Colossians 2:11-12).

I take upon myself the name of Jesus Christ, which is the only saving name.

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

I apply the burial of Christ to my life, making it effective in me.

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

I demonstrate publicly that I am beginning a new life, committing myself to Christ and to my church family.

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:41-42).

The more a believer studies the Bible, the more they find out about the miraculous events that happened back at the time of their salvation experience. The small matter of saying “yes” to the terms of God’s covenant leads to a lifetime of spiritual relationship and discovery, much like the small matter of saying “I do” to the terms of one’s wedding vows leads to a lifetime of discovering all the implications of those two words uttered in an instant! Only Heaven will reveal the full wonder of God’s work in us at the moment we are baptized!

“So, now

What are you waiting for?

Get up

Be baptized

Wash your sins away

Calling on the name” (Acts 22:16, NIV).

Study Questions

Provide three scriptural references for baptism in Jesus name. ______

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Write out one of the Scriptures referenced in number one above. ______

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Provide five issues that are dealt with when one is baptized in Jesus name.

1) ______

______

2) ______

______

3) ______

______

4) ______

______

5) ______

______

Write out the words found in Acts 22:16. ______

______

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